passing-bell

Noun

passing bell (plural passing bells)

1. A bell rung to announce a passing, a death, or funeral; death bell, death knell.
   • What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
     — Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
     Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
     Can patter out their hasty orisons.1917, Wilfred Owen, Anthem for Doomed Youth

   Synonyms:

   dead bell, death bell, death knell, lych bell, skellet bell, mort bell, soul bell, soul knell